After nine seasons in Toronto, Mitch Marner leaves Toronto as the fifth-highest scoring Maple Leaf in team history.

Instead of shelling out for bottom-six options, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is choosing patience after the departure of Mitch Marner. He’d rather survey the trade market, target a bona fide top-six forward and make a hard pitch.

The deal sees the Golden Knights send Nicolas Roy to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Marner, who will avoid free agency by signing an eight-year, $96 million contract in Vegas. Marner will run the Golden Knights $12 million per year, which is less than some expected him to fetch on the open market.